2014

In its Communication, the European Commission evaluates EU policy for safeguarding water resources, identifies deficiencies and proposes possibilities for improvement. In particular, it calls for the metering of water consumption and water pricing based on the polluter pays principle. It also proposes that national authorities be obliged to use the best available techniques for industrial emissions permits as well as EU-wide uniform standards of consumption for water-related products.

2014

The Commission wants the Member States to provide all young people between the ages of 15 and 24 with a guarantee that they will receive employment or training within four months of leaving school or losing a job.

2014

The Commission extends the scope of the current directive by including direct selling of insurances. In the future, intermediaries have to disclose to clients the commission or any other remuneration they receive upon selling an insurance. Only those intermediaries abstaining from commissions can call themselves “independent”.

2014

The Commission announces measures to advance the completion of the internal energy market. For instance, it wishes to implement the Third Energy Package also through infringement proceedings. Moreover, it wishes to prevent Member States from applying capacity mechanisms as this would distort competition in the internal energy market.

2014

The updated cepDefault-Index makes clear that the euro crisis has not been averted. The Index shows that, with the exception of Ireland, the crisis countries in receipt of financial assistance have not succeeded in halting the decline in creditworthiness. Italy’s creditworthiness has been deteriorating continuously since 2009. The reforms implemented so far are insufficient.

Moreover the creditworthiness of France is under threat. Even if the French situation is not yet as dramatic as in the southern European countries, it still requires an urgent course correction. A drop in France's creditworthiness could place the entire Euro rescue package in doubt therefore the trend in French creditworthiness is of significant importance for the future development of the Euro Zone.

2014

The Commission wishes to combat offences that have a detrimental effect on the EU budget by harmonising provisions on penalties. To this end, it proposes a harmonisation of the relevant offences and prescription periods for prosecutions as well as minimum sanctions depending on the severity of the offence.

2014

In the EU operators of fixed installations and aviation companies may emit greenhouse gas emissions only if they possess the corresponding emission allowances. According to the Commission, the reduction of prices for emission allowances is a result of the “imbalance between supply and demand”. Now, it proposes options for eliminating structurally and sustainably what it perceives as a "supply-demand imbalance“ in the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS).

2014

The Commission wishes to introduce uniform key information documents on investment products (PRIPS) in order to strengthen investor protection and to create a level playing field for investment product manufacturers. The key information documents must be provided to retail investors before the acquisition of an investment product (e.g. an investment fund) and must have a standardised structure.

2014

The Commission wishes to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by indirect land-use changes. To this end it wishes to limit the amount of how much conventional biofuels count to a maximum of five percentage points of the 10% expansion target, amongst other things.

2014

The Commission proposes a “major and rapid transformation” in the EU’s external aviation policy in order to strengthen the international competitiveness of European airlines, create benefits for consumers and improve public safety and environmental protection. To this end it proposes amongst other things to agree at ICAO level on a global system for CO2 emissions from air transport and to conclude agreements between the EU and third countries on the liberalisation of the national regulations on ownership and control of airlines.